OpenBSD OpenSSH: Privilege Escalation (CVE-2021-41617)
Published Last modified Sources: Siemens ProductCERT, Ubuntu, CVE.org
What is affected, what to do
sshd in OpenSSH 6.2 through 8.x before 8.8, when certain non-default configurations are used, allows privilege escalation because supplemental groups are not initialized as expected. Helper programs for AuthorizedKeysCommand and AuthorizedPrincipalsCommand may run with privileges associated with group memberships of the sshd process, if the configuration specifies running the command as a different user.
Update OpenBSD OpenSSH to version 8.8.
- Affected
- OpenBSD OpenSSH
lt 6.2..8.8 - Fedora
eq 33..33 - Fedora
eq 34..34 - Fedora
eq 35..35 - Oracle HTTP Server
eq 12.2.1.2.0..12.2.1.2.0 - Oracle HTTP Server
eq 12.2.1.3.0..12.2.1.3.0 - Oracle HTTP Server
eq 12.2.1.4.0..12.2.1.4.0 - Oracle ZFS Storage Appliance Kit
eq 8.8..8.8 - Starwindsoftware Starwind Virtual San
eq v8r13..v8r13
- OpenBSD OpenSSH
- Fixed in
- OpenBSD OpenSSH
8.8
- OpenBSD OpenSSH
Not sure whether and how you are affected? Ask a question about this vulnerability
Metrics
7.0
Priority
XIEM Effective CVSS: highest available CVSS rating from NVD and vendor data.
Source: NVD, CVSS v3
7.0
CVSS v3
Severity High on the scale from 0 to 10.
Source: Siemens ProductCERT, Ubuntu, CVE.org
2.6 %
EPSS score
Moderate — model estimates 1-10% exploitation likelihood.
Source: FIRST EPSS, percentile 85.0
Show all metrics
- Severity
- High
Priority (0–325)
The priority score is a consolidated metric that condenses several individual signals into a single, action-guiding ranking: technical severity (CVSS), exploitation likelihood (EPSS), known-exploited status (KEV) and the context of the affected asset. The aim is to answer the only truly important question in vulnerability management: what first?
Read in glossary- 92.81 Methodology
Exploit maturity
An exploit is code or a technique that specifically uses a concrete vulnerability to force unintended behaviour — such as executing code or escalating privileges. It is the tool that turns a theoretical flaw into a practical attack.
Read in glossary- no public PoC known
XIEM Effective CVSS
XIEM® is the tiered managed-security operating model from NEOSEC and a registered trademark of NEOSEC GmbH. It extends classic SIEM — the central collection, normalisation and correlation of security-relevant events — with endpoint forensics, network visibility and deception technology, and consolidates them into three building tiers: Sentry, Orchestrate and Command.
Read in glossary- 7.0 Methodology
CVSS v3
CVSS is the globally established, open standard for assessing the technical severity of a vulnerability on a scale from 0 to 10. It describes how easily a flaw can be exploited and what damage it can cause — but not how likely its actual exploitation is. CVSS and the complementary EPSS deliberately answer different questions.
Read in glossary- 7.0
EPSS score
The EPSS score is the absolute model output for an individual vulnerability: the estimated probability of real-world exploitation within the next 30 days, expressed as a value between 0 and 1 (i.e. 0 % to 100 %). A score of 0.42 means „the model estimates a 42 % chance of real-world exploitation within 30 days“.
Read in glossary- 2.6 %
- Moderate — model estimates 1-10% exploitation likelihood.
EPSS percentile
The EPSS percentile is the relative position of a vulnerability within all EPSS-scored CVEs, expressed as a value between 0 and 1. A percentile of 0.90 means „this CVE has a higher EPSS score than 90 % of all other scored CVEs“. Unlike the EPSS score, it is not a probability — but a positioning within a ranking.
Read in glossary- 85.0
- Critical — this CVE ranks in the top fifth of all CVEs scored today (rank ≥ 80%).
KEV status
The KEV catalogue is a list maintained by the US authority CISA of vulnerabilities for which active exploitation in the wild has been confirmed. It answers not the question „how severe?“ but „is it already being attacked?“ — thereby sharply prioritising patching.
Read in glossary- —
- Published
- CISA assessment (SSVC)
- Exploitation: none known · not automatable · Technical impact: total
- Source: CISA Vulnrichment, as of 8 October 2026
Detection rules
No NEOSEC detection rule is available for this vulnerability yet.
Classification under NIS2 and CRA
Rule-based classification from exploitation status and severity. It does not replace a case-by-case assessment.
NIS2
NIS2 is EU Directive (EU) 2022/2555 to raise the level of cybersecurity across the Union. It substantially broadens obligations compared with the first NIS directive: more sectors, mandatory risk management, staged reporting duties and personal accountability of senior management.
Read in glossary- High technical severity: assess and remediate the vulnerability in vulnerability handling under Art. 21(2)(e) NIS2 and document the decision.
CRA
The CRA is EU Regulation (EU) 2024/2847 setting horizontal cybersecurity requirements for „products with digital elements“ — from industrial controllers and software to connected consumer devices. For the first time manufacturers must ensure security across the entire product lifecycle, handle vulnerabilities and provide security updates.
Read in glossary- From 11.12.2027, Annex I Part II CRA requires manufacturers of affected products with digital elements to handle vulnerabilities without delay and provide security updates.
ISO/IEC 27001
ISO/IEC 27001 is the internationally leading standard for an information security management system (ISMS). It describes a risk-based, process-oriented framework to systematically plan, implement, review and improve information security.
Read in glossary- Control A.8.8, management of technical vulnerabilities: assess relevance to your systems, plan remediation and keep evidence.
Description
sshd in OpenSSH 6.2 through 8.x before 8.8, when certain non-default configurations are used, allows privilege escalation because supplemental groups are not initialized as expected. Helper programs for AuthorizedKeysCommand and AuthorizedPrincipalsCommand may run with privileges associated with group memberships of the sshd process, if the configuration specifies running the command as a different user.
Source: siemens_advisory, Ubuntu Security Notices, cvelistv5, NVD (NIST)
Affected products
The following versions are affected. Older releases of the same product line are also vulnerable unless stated otherwise.
| Affected versions | Fixed in | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| netapp | active_iq_unified_manager |
|
|
| netapp | clustered_data_ontap |
|
|
| netapp | hci_management_node |
|
|
| netapp | ontap_select_deploy_administration_utility |
|
|
| netapp | solidfire |
|
|
| openbsd | openssh |
|
|
| oracle | http_server |
|
|
| oracle | zfs_storage_appliance_kit |
|
|
| starwindsoftware | starwind_virtual_san |
|
|
Vendors and products
- Fedora Project Infrastructure Fedora
- NetApp Active IQ Unified Manager
- NetApp Aff 500f Firmware
- NetApp Aff A250 Firmware
- NetApp FreeBSD
- NetApp Hci Management Node
- NetApp NetApp ONTAP Select Deploy administration utility
- NetApp Solidfire
- OpenBSD OpenBSD OpenSSH
- Oracle Oracle HTTP Server
- Oracle Oracle ZFS Storage Appliance Kit
- Starwindsoftware Android
Affected operating systems
| Linux | ubuntu | openssh | focal |
| Linux | ubuntu | openssh | jammy |
| Linux | ubuntu | openssh | lunar |
| Linux | ubuntu | openssh | mantic |
| Other | netapp | aff_500f_firmware | — |
| Other | netapp | aff_a250_firmware | — |
| Other | fedoraproject | fedora | 33 |
| Other | fedoraproject | fedora | 34 |
| Other | fedoraproject | fedora | 35 |
References & sources
- openssh.comsecurity.html
- openwall.comlists/oss-security/2021/09/26/1
- openssh.comtxt/release-8.8
- lists.fedoraproject.orgFEDORA-2021-1f7339271dVendor advisory
- lists.fedoraproject.orgFEDORA-2021-f8df0f8563Vendor advisory
- lists.fedoraproject.orgFEDORA-2021-fa0e94198fVendor advisory
- oracle.comsecurity-alerts/cpuapr2022.html
- bugzilla.suse.comshow_bug.cgi?id=1190975
- security.netapp.comadvisory/ntap-20211014-0004
- oracle.comsecurity-alerts/cpujul2022.html
- starwindsoftware.comsecurity/sw-20220805-0001
- tenable.complugins/nessus/154174
- debian.orgDSA-5586Vendor advisory
- lists.debian.org[debian-lts-announce] 20231226 [SECURITY] [DLA 3694-1] openssh security updateMailing list
- Siemens ProductCERTproductcert/html/ssa-082556.html
- Siemens ProductCERTproductcert/html/ssa-019113.html
- Siemens ProductCERTproductcert/html/ssa-457936.html
Changes to this CVE
Who changed this CVE and when: NVD (analysis, affected products, CVSS), the CVE publisher (CNA) and additional providers such as CISA (ADP).
Record modifiedSiemens ADP
Show 2 original changes
Individual changes of this event as published by NVD Type Action Before After Affected versions (publisher) added —Affected value modified. <a href="https://github.com/CVEProject/cvelistV5/blob/main/cves/2021/41xxx/CVE-2021-41617.json">CVE-2021-41617</a>Reference added —https://cert-portal.siemens.com/productcert/html/ssa-457936.htmlSource identifier: 0b142b55-0307-4c5a-b3c9-f314f3fb7c5e
Record modifiedCISA ADP
CISA assessment (SSVC): exploitation: none known, automatable: no
Show the original change
Individual changes of this event as published by NVD Type Action Before After SSVC assessment added —{"id":"CVE-2021-41617","role":"CISA Coordinator","options":[{"exploitation":"none"},{"automatable":"no"},{"technicalImpact":"total"}],"version":"2.0.3","timestamp":"2026-10-08T21:05:18.878932Z"}Source identifier: 134c704f-9b21-4f2e-91b3-4a467353bcc0
Record modifiedMITRE
New references:- https://bugzilla.suse.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1190975
- https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2023/12/msg00017.html
- https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/6XJIONMHMKZDTMH6BQR5TNLF2WDCGWED/
- https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/KVI7RWM2JLNMWTOFK6BDUSGNOIPZYPUT/
and 8 more references
Show 36 original changes
Individual changes of this event as published by NVD Type Action Before After Reference added —https://bugzilla.suse.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1190975Reference added —https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2023/12/msg00017.htmlReference added —https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/6XJIONMHMKZDTMH6BQR5TNLF2WDCGWED/Reference added —https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/KVI7RWM2JLNMWTOFK6BDUSGNOIPZYPUT/Reference added —https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/W44V2PFQH5YLRN6ZJTVRKAD7CU6CYYET/Reference added —https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20211014-0004/Reference added —https://www.debian.org/security/2023/dsa-5586Reference added —https://www.openssh.com/security.htmlReference added —https://www.openssh.com/txt/release-8.8Reference added —https://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2021/09/26/1Reference added —https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpuapr2022.htmlReference added —https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpujul2022.htmlReference added —https://www.starwindsoftware.com/security/sw-20220805-0001/Reference added —https://www.tenable.com/plugins/nessus/154174Reference removed https://bugzilla.suse.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1190975—Reference removed https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2023/12/msg00017.html—Reference removed https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/6XJIONMHMKZDTMH6BQR5TNLF2WDCGWED/—Reference removed https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/KVI7RWM2JLNMWTOFK6BDUSGNOIPZYPUT/—Reference removed https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/W44V2PFQH5YLRN6ZJTVRKAD7CU6CYYET/—Reference removed https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20211014-0004/—Reference removed https://www.debian.org/security/2023/dsa-5586—Reference removed https://www.openssh.com/security.html—Reference removed https://www.openssh.com/txt/release-8.8—Reference removed https://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2021/09/26/1—Reference removed https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpuapr2022.html—Reference removed https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpujul2022.html—Reference removed https://www.starwindsoftware.com/security/sw-20220805-0001/—Reference removed https://www.tenable.com/plugins/nessus/154174—Reference type removed https://bugzilla.suse.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1190975 Types: Issue Tracking, Patch, Third Party Advisory—Reference type removed https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20211014-0004/ Types: Third Party Advisory—Reference type removed https://www.openssh.com/security.html Types: Vendor Advisory—Reference type removed https://www.openssh.com/txt/release-8.8 Types: Release Notes, Vendor Advisory—Reference type removed https://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2021/09/26/1 Types: Mailing List, Third Party Advisory—Reference type removed https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpuapr2022.html Types: Patch, Third Party Advisory—Reference type removed https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpujul2022.html Types: Third Party Advisory—Reference type removed https://www.starwindsoftware.com/security/sw-20220805-0001/ Types: Third Party Advisory—Source identifier: cve@mitre.org
Record modifiedCVE Program
New references:- https://bugzilla.suse.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1190975
- https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2023/12/msg00017.html
- https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/6XJIONMHMKZDTMH6BQR5TNLF2WDCGWED/
- https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/KVI7RWM2JLNMWTOFK6BDUSGNOIPZYPUT/
and 8 more references
Show 36 original changes
Individual changes of this event as published by NVD Type Action Before After Reference added —https://bugzilla.suse.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1190975Reference added —https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2023/12/msg00017.htmlReference added —https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/6XJIONMHMKZDTMH6BQR5TNLF2WDCGWED/Reference added —https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/KVI7RWM2JLNMWTOFK6BDUSGNOIPZYPUT/Reference added —https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/W44V2PFQH5YLRN6ZJTVRKAD7CU6CYYET/Reference added —https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20211014-0004/Reference added —https://www.debian.org/security/2023/dsa-5586Reference added —https://www.openssh.com/security.htmlReference added —https://www.openssh.com/txt/release-8.8Reference added —https://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2021/09/26/1Reference added —https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpuapr2022.htmlReference added —https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpujul2022.htmlReference added —https://www.starwindsoftware.com/security/sw-20220805-0001/Reference added —https://www.tenable.com/plugins/nessus/154174Reference removed https://bugzilla.suse.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1190975—Reference removed https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2023/12/msg00017.html—Reference removed https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/6XJIONMHMKZDTMH6BQR5TNLF2WDCGWED/—Reference removed https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/KVI7RWM2JLNMWTOFK6BDUSGNOIPZYPUT/—Reference removed https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/W44V2PFQH5YLRN6ZJTVRKAD7CU6CYYET/—Reference removed https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20211014-0004/—Reference removed https://www.debian.org/security/2023/dsa-5586—Reference removed https://www.openssh.com/security.html—Reference removed https://www.openssh.com/txt/release-8.8—Reference removed https://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2021/09/26/1—Reference removed https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpuapr2022.html—Reference removed https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpujul2022.html—Reference removed https://www.starwindsoftware.com/security/sw-20220805-0001/—Reference removed https://www.tenable.com/plugins/nessus/154174—Reference type removed https://bugzilla.suse.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1190975 Types: Issue Tracking, Patch, Third Party Advisory—Reference type removed https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20211014-0004/ Types: Third Party Advisory—Reference type removed https://www.openssh.com/security.html Types: Vendor Advisory—Reference type removed https://www.openssh.com/txt/release-8.8 Types: Release Notes, Vendor Advisory—Reference type removed https://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2021/09/26/1 Types: Mailing List, Third Party Advisory—Reference type removed https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpuapr2022.html Types: Patch, Third Party Advisory—Reference type removed https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpujul2022.html Types: Third Party Advisory—Reference type removed https://www.starwindsoftware.com/security/sw-20220805-0001/ Types: Third Party Advisory—Source identifier: af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108
Record modifiedSiemens ADP
Show 4 original changes
Individual changes of this event as published by NVD Type Action Before After Reference added —https://cert-portal.siemens.com/productcert/html/ssa-019113.htmlReference added —https://cert-portal.siemens.com/productcert/html/ssa-082556.htmlReference removed https://cert-portal.siemens.com/productcert/html/ssa-019113.html—Reference removed https://cert-portal.siemens.com/productcert/html/ssa-082556.html—Source identifier: 0b142b55-0307-4c5a-b3c9-f314f3fb7c5e
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<a href="https://intel.neosec.eu/en/cve/CVE-2021-41617"><img src="https://intel.neosec.eu/badge/cve/CVE-2021-41617.svg?lang=en" alt="CVE-2021-41617 – NEOSEC Intel" height="20"></a>